Chapter 122: Even a Battle Maniac is a Girl~
Time seemed to stand still in the warm, amber-lit interior of the Dimensional Restaurant.
Esdeath stood there, frozen. Her heart, usually a block of ice that pumped adrenaline and ambition through her veins, was currently doing something completely unauthorized.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
It was beating. Fast.
She stared blankly at the hand Ren was extending—not to strike her, but to help her. She looked at his face, searching for the deception, the mockery, the pity of the victor over the vanquished.
She found none. Only a gentle, patient smile that seemed to warm the very air around him.
"Hmm?" Ren tilted his head slightly, his expression shifting to one of mild concern. "Does using that ice ability have side effects? Why aren't you speaking, Miss?"
"You... huh?"
Esdeath blinked, her blue eyes losing focus for a second. The absolute reality of her defeat was crashing down on her, mixing confusingly with this strange new sensation in her chest.
As she was wondering if she had sustained internal damage, she felt a warm sensation on her forehead.
She flinched instinctively, but didn't pull away.
Ren had stepped closer. He placed the back of his hand against her forehead, checking her temperature with the casual familiarity of a doctor or an older brother.
"No signs of fever," Ren muttered to himself. "Her skin is naturally cold, but that seems normal for an ice user. It seems she was just too stunned by the loss to react?"
Esdeath looked up at him through her long eyelashes. The heat from his hand seeped into her skin, a stark contrast to the perpetual chill of her Demon's Extract.
For some reason, having this man so close, touching her with such care after effortlessly shattering her strongest attack, made her breath hitch.
'He defeated me... and now he is checking my health? Who is this man?'
Ren saw the intelligence return to her eyes. He pulled his hand back, giving her space.
"As long as it's not a fight to the death or a threat to family and friends, it doesn't matter," Ren said, his voice soothing. "After all, it's just a sparring match, isn't it? Winning and losing are part of the game."
Esdeath straightened her posture, regaining some of her General's dignity. She brushed a stray lock of blue hair behind her ear, her eyes locking onto his.
"What's your name?" she asked abruptly.
"Ren."
"Ren..." she tested the name on her tongue. "Not a name from the Empire's border. Another World... How old are you?"
"20."
Esdeath's eyes widened slightly. "The same age then..."
She muttered to herself, a small, dangerous smile playing on her lips. "Stronger than me at the same age. A man worthy of conquest..."
Ren saw the girl muttering something about "conquest" and "breeding" (though he missed the specific word) and decided to steer the conversation back to safer territory.
"This is a restaurant," Ren reminded her, gesturing to the tables. "You just got some exercise, and I assume you haven't eaten since your campaign started. What do you have here?"
Esdeath looked around. "I am hungry. What do you serve?"
"Anything can be made," Ren replied with characteristic confidence. "As long as there are ingredients in my pantry, I can create it."
Esdeath pondered for a moment. She was used to military rations, roasted Danger Beast meat, and the high cuisine of the Capital. But right now, she craved something else.
"Then give me something stimulating," she ordered, her voice regaining its command. "Something that burns. Something energy-boosting!"
Ren stroked his chin. "Stimulating... Does your world have spicy food?"
"Yes!" Esdeath nodded. "The Northern tribes use spices to warm the blood. I enjoy the burn."
"Can you handle real spice?"
"I can handle anything."
Ren nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Then I know exactly what you should eat. Please wait a moment. Make yourself comfortable."
He turned to the silver-haired woman sitting at the counter. "Lucifer, do you want some late-night snack? Or are you full?"
Lucifer looked up from her phone. "I have a separate stomach for sweets. Chocolate crepe~"
Ren sighed, though his smile betrayed his affection. "You're really persistent. I know, but you shouldn't eat too many high-calorie foods at night or you'll complain about weight gain later. So I'll just make you one small one."
"Hmph. Make it extra chocolatey."
"Yes, yes, your Majesty."
Ren tied his apron tighter and walked into the kitchen. The sounds of pots and pans soon began to echo, a rhythmic, comforting noise.
The shop returned to quietness.
Esdeath looked around, feeling slightly out of place in her stark white military uniform amidst the cozy decor. She walked over to a table near the window and sat down. She took off her white military hat and placed it on the table, shaking her long, smooth blue hair loose.
She unbuckled her saber and leaned it against the wall within arm's reach. Then, she crossed her arms and surveyed the place with critical eyes.
Although Esdeath was a battle maniac and a Sadist, she was also, fundamentally, a person who appreciated order and quality.
Normal people don't dislike beautiful things, and this shop was beautiful. It was clean, tidy, and radiated a warmth that was alien to the frozen wastelands of her childhood or the sterile halls of the Palace.
Her gaze lingered on the pendant lights hanging above the counter.
"Electric lights..." she murmured. "Much steadier than oil lamps. And they aren't hot."
She stared at the filaments glowing inside the bulb. The soft, warm light seemed to blur the edges of her vision, making her feel slightly dazed.
The night was quiet. Outside, the dimensional void (or whatever lay beyond the door) was silent, but a gentle breeze from the ventilation system awakened the wind chimes hanging by the window.
Ting-ling.
The crisp sound cut through the air. Combined with the faint floral scent of the lilies in the corner vase and the smell of brewing coffee, it created a sensory blanket that wrapped around her.
Esdeath leaned back in the soft chair. Slowly, the adrenaline faded. The tension in her shoulders—the weight of leading an army, of hunting traitors, of being the "Empire's Strongest"—began to melt away.
For the first time in months, she felt... relaxed.
The shop was still cool due to her earlier ice attack, but the residual chill only made the warmth of the kitchen feel more inviting. It highlighted the quietness of time in this space between worlds.
Ting-ling.
Esdeath was roused from her trance by another chime. She took a deep breath, then turned her head sharply.
She found Lucifer staring at her.
The silver-haired woman was sipping tea, her red eyes fixed on Esdeath with an unreadable expression.
"Why are you always looking at me?" Esdeath asked, her tone sharp. "Do you have a problem?"
Lucifer placed her teacup down gently. "I'm just a little curious about guests from Another World~ I didn't feel the presence of magic in the ability you used before. What's with that power to create ice? It feels... biological."
"Teigu (Imperial Armament)," Esdeath replied concisely. "That's my Demon's Extract."
"Imperial Armament? Never heard of it," Lucifer mused. "But that ice power is not bad. It can actually freeze time and space~ That's a high-tier divine domain ability."
Hearing this, Esdeath frowned. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "How do you know about Mahapadma? I only used it for a split second before he..."
She stopped, unwilling to verbalize her defeat again.
"Because it's easy to see," Lucifer said, waving her hand dismissively. "When you are at my level, you see the fabric of reality."
Esdeath scrutinized the woman. "Who are you?"
Lucifer smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was a smile that promised eternal torment and bureaucratic paperwork.
"Me? I am the Queen of Hell, Lucifer~"
Esdeath blinked. She didn't know the specific theology of Lucifer, but the concept of "Hell" was universal.
"Hell..." Esdeath muttered. "You are the ruler of the underworld?"
She was a little surprised. This woman in the sharp suit, drinking tea and eating crepes, was a ruler of souls?
Just as Esdeath was about to ask about the strength of demons compared to Danger Beasts, she heard Lucifer continue.
"And..." Lucifer added, her voice softening slightly, "I am the owner of this place's heart..."
Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "The owner?"
"...one of them..." Lucifer corrected, muttering the last part under her breath.
Esdeath's enhanced hearing picked it up instantly. She was stunned.
If she understood correctly, this woman named Lucifer was that man's partner. But she wasn't the only one.
"One of them?" Esdeath repeated, a scoff escaping her lips. "You mean he has a harem? And you accept that?"
She looked at Lucifer with disdain. "How could the dignified Queen of Hell share her lover with other women?! That is weak! If I want something, I take it all!"
Lucifer's eye twitched. She slammed her teacup onto the saucer.
"What can I do if I don't want to?!" Lucifer snapped, losing her cool. "He is... difficult! Besides, they're not bad women. If I had to say, I was the last one to arrive, but I caught up later! I am the Main Wife!"
"They? Are they all at your level?" Esdeath asked, intrigued by the idea of a group of powerful female warriors.
Lucifer shook her head and said casually, "How could that be? Most of them are ordinary humans. Some are chefs, some are students. They are weak, physically."
"Weak?" Esdeath's expression turned cold. "I doubt whether you are the ruler of Hell at all~ A ruler does not associate with the weak."
"Oh? Is that so?"
As Lucifer spoke, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly.
The air grew heavy, pressing down like a physical weight. The shadows in the corners of the room stretched and writhed.
Lucifer raised one finger and pointed it at Esdeath.
Thump.
Esdeath gasped. Her hand flew to her chest.
Her milk-white cheeks turned pale. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
She felt her heart being squeezed by a large, invisible hand. It wasn't ice; it was pure, crushing pressure. It felt like death itself was standing behind her, breathing down her neck.
It lasted for only a second.
Lucifer lowered her finger. The pressure vanished.
"This is just a little bit of magic power," Lucifer said with a sweet, terrifying smile. "Do you believe me now, little General?"
Esdeath panted, her eyes wide. She nodded slowly. That power... it was overwhelming.
"I believe you," Esdeath said, composing herself. She frowned deeply. "But that makes even less sense. How can a strong person like you accept a group of weak people sharing your lover? This is unreasonable. It violates the law of nature."
Lucifer paused. She tilted her head. "Why can't I accept it?"
This question stunned Esdeath.
"The strong prey on the weak!" Esdeath declared, her voice rising with conviction. "That is the only truth! The weak can receive protection from the strong, yes, but standing with the strong as equals? That is an insult to the strong! If they are weak, they should be subservient!"
Lucifer looked at the fanaticism in the girl's eyes and sighed.
"So," Lucifer said, leaning back. "I accepted it, and nothing bad happened That 'scoundrel' still treats everyone the same, regardless of power. I haven't lowered my strength, nor do I feel insulted. In fact, every day here is much more relaxed and pleasant than staying in Hell managing tortured souls"
Esdeath stared at her, unable to compute.
Lucifer continued casually, "The 'strong prey on the weak' philosophy is for survival, darling. Not for living. Who needs to constantly prey on others if life can be stable and prosperous? Even for conquest, there will always be an end. If you conquer the world, what then? There will be nothing left but boredom~"
This sentence struck Esdeath like a physical blow.
She sat there, at a loss for words.
Indeed, her philosophy was born from the frozen wastes where if you didn't kill, you died. But... if she conquered the Empire, if she killed all her enemies... what would she do then?
'Boredom...' Esdeath thought. 'Is that my future?'
"Lucifer~ What are you talking about with the customer?"
Ren's voice drifted from the kitchen, interrupting the philosophical debate.
"Nothing!" Lucifer called back. "Is it ready?"
"Coming out."
Ren pushed the dining cart out. He placed a plate in front of Lucifer.
"Here. Double Chocolate Banana Crepe with whipped cream."
The crepe was warm, folded into a cone, and bursting with rich chocolate sauce and fresh bananas.
Lucifer sniffed it, her eyes lighting up. The terrifying Queen of Hell vanished, replaced by a happy girl.
"As expected," she smiled, picking up her fork. "I still have no resistance to your cooking~"
"Otherwise, how could I keep you, my little Queen?" Ren teased.
"Hmph~"
Ren then turned to Esdeath.
While the General was deep in thought about the meaning of strength, a pungent, spicy aroma drifted under her nose.
She looked up.
Ren placed a steaming bowl in front of her. It was a deep red broth, filled with tender slices of beef, bean sprouts, and vegetables, swimming in chili oil.
"Sichuan Boiled Beef (Shui Zhu Niu Rou)," Ren announced. "It's spicy, numbing, and stimulating. Just what you asked for."
But before she could eat, Ren placed a small side plate next to it.
It was a mini Chocolate Crepe, identical to Lucifer's but smaller.
Esdeath looked up at Ren with a puzzled expression. "I didn't order this sweet thing."
Ren smiled gently.
"No girl should dislike sweets, right?" he said softly. "You wanted energy. Sugar provides energy. Just have something to soothe the stomach before the spice hits."
Esdeath frowned. "Girl? I am a General."
"That's right," Ren agreed, leaning down slightly so his face was level with hers. "But even if you are a battle maniac General... you're still a young girl in the prime of her youth. You're allowed to like cute things."
Esdeath froze.
'A... girl?'
No one had called her that since she was a child in the Partas Clan. Everyone saw her as a monster, a weapon, or a leader.
She looked at the crepe. It looked soft. Sweet.
"Please enjoy~"
After saying that, Ren turned and walked back behind the counter to clean up.
Lucifer held her fork, eating her crepe with a blissful expression, but she shot a sharp glare at Ren's back.
'He did it again,' she thought. 'That smooth talk... I absolutely cannot let that stinky man read romance comics anymore! He's learning too many dangerous lines!'
Esdeath picked up the small crepe. She took a bite.
The sweetness exploded in her mouth—chocolate and cream. It was a flavor she rarely experienced. It was... nice.
She looked at Ren's back, then at the spicy beef. A strange warmth that had nothing to do with temperature began to spread through her chest.
'This place...' Esdeath thought, a small blush tinting her pale cheeks. '...is dangerous.'
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